The island’s coastal vegetation includes Southern RātāMetrosideros umbellata forest and the inland mire and moorland habitats contain several species of megaherbs which make a colourful display when flowering, notably in an area known as Fairchild’s Garden in the north-west of the island.

Adams Island across from Carnley Harbour taken from South West Cape on Auckland Island. Photograph by Barry Baker

Some of the tallest sea cliffs in the World can be found on the southern coast of Adams Island. The cliffs visible here at the mouth of Astrolabe Basin reach about 300 m while those in the far distance on the lee of Mt Dick are c. 500 m high. Photograph by Colin O'Donnell

Mount Dick is the highest point on the left. The low-altitude band of Southern Rātā/Dracophyllum forest along Carnley Harbour rises to a maximum of 200 m merging into Chionochloa tussock grasslands on mid-altitude slopes then to rocky fellfield on the tops. Photograph by Colin O'Donnell

A recent report to the New Zealand Department of Conservation has estimated the Adams’ Antipodean Albatross breeding population in 2013 as 4998 pairs. Long-term research on this globally Vulnerable species on Adams Island has shown declines in adult survival, productivity and recruitment; it is regarded as "Nationally Critical” in New Zealand (click here).

Female Antipodean Albatross on its nest in tussock, the megaherb Campbell Island Daisy Pleurophyllum speciosum is in the foreground

Several hundred pairs of Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses breed on Adams’ southern cliffs but their numbers are thought have decreased over the last 15 years.

A pair of Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses on Adams Island among megaherbs

Photograph by Colin O'Donnell

Information on trends of White-capped Albatrosses in the Auckland Islands based on aerial counts suggests a stable population (click here)

In addition to the above ACAP-listed species, the White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis breeds on Adams Island.

The island has no (and has never had any) introduced mammals and tourism is not allowed. Small research parties that monitor the Antipodean Albatross population each year have the use of a field hut but there is no other infrastructure.

The field hut on Adams Island, photographed by Barry Baker

With thanks to Barry Baker, Colin O’Donnell and Erica Sommer for information and photographs.